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Tanya Hennessy

Tanya Hennessy

Comedian, radio announcer & social media sensation

1 episodeSept 2019

About Tanya

Tanya Hennessy - Comedian, radio announcer & social media sensation

Tanya is a social media superstar having amassed a worldwide audience of more than 1 million followers through her relatable, engaging and comedic content.

Alongside her national weekend breakfast radio show on Hit, Tanya also hosts The Bachelor: UNPACKED, and appears on The Morning Show, Studio 10 and The Loop.

Tanya on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/thetanyahennessy

Tanya on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXAo7ytqRSMIlTdMCMeD3rQ

In Tanya’s words

Verbatim from the transcripts — each quote links to the moment.

“I do have massive imposter syndrome because when you create on the internet, people aren't applauding and people aren't, you know, like— and also don't read a lot of the comments because I've had a lot of negative comments, so I sort of try and help help myself psychologically with that kind of stuff.”
Ep 458▶ 6:10
“Make it, make content you like, make content you consume.”
Ep 458▶ 10:21
“Knowing what you don't stand for is just as important as what you do stand for.”
Ep 458▶ 33:08
“If you can have your head to the sky and your feet in the ground, that's when you're the most connected to the universe and you can connect.”
Ep 458▶ 35:04
“Keep going, stand out, make original content, scare yourself, challenge yourself, uh, have a healthy fear of mediocrity, which I do, um, and annoy your bosses.”
Ep 458▶ 53:52
“No way, that's what it can't be. It cannot be for content.”
Ep 458▶ 59:18

Tanya’s advice on the show

How can someone build a successful personal brand or content career on the internet?

Make content you personally like and would consume yourself rather than chasing what you think the audience wants; authenticity will eventually find an audience, whereas constantly searching for what others want is less effective.

How do you get started seeing a therapist/psychologist if you've never been?

Go to a GP, describe your symptoms, and they'll refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist; with a mental health plan you get subsidized sessions, and if you don't click with the person you can easily ask your doctor for a referral to someone else.

How do you create your best creative work?

Create when you feel the need to, not when you feel obligated to; forcing work on a schedule produces worse results than writing or filming when inspiration genuinely strikes, even if that means writing on your phone or in unconventional moments.

What should regional radio presenters do to stand out and advance their careers?

Keep going, make original content, scare and challenge yourself, maintain a healthy fear of mediocrity, annoy your bosses, constantly ask for feedback, and don't be afraid to self-promote ('be a PR whore') rather than staying stagnant for years.

Stories Tanya told

Jules Lund's call that changed her career

Ep 458▶ 6:10

Tanya recounts messaging Jules Lund her radio showreel while in Toowoomba; he called her, told her to stop presenting and just be herself in short videos, and her first video went viral with 1.3 million views in a day.

Sleeping cameraman and the soundie watching Netflix

Ep 458▶ 28:18

Tanya recalls a cameraman falling asleep and snoring loudly during a TV shoot ruining the sound, and another time thinking a soundman was impressed by her performance when he was actually watching Netflix.

The $1 bill and One Direction CD promo

Ep 458▶ 30:39

Tanya recalls being the first person to use the influencer platform Tribe, defacing a US dollar note to promote a One Direction CD by changing 'dollar' to 'direction'.

The Ironman ironing stunt

Ep 458▶ 54:46

While working landlocked radio in a regional market, Tanya organized a stunt where people ironed clothes timed to the real Ironman triathlon happening on the Gold Coast, which got picked up by Gold Coast and Brisbane news.

Pash for Cash for charity

Ep 458▶ 56:01

Tanya describes a radio charity stunt called 'Pash for Cash' where she and her reluctant co-announcer would kiss if they raised $5,000 for a local cancer charity; the co-announcer was very unwilling and they ended up only kissing on the cheek.

Questions these interviews answer

Drawn from the episode transcripts.

How did Tanya Hennessy get started making viral videos?

She messaged Jules Lund her radio presenting showreel while working in Toowoomba; he advised her to stop trying to be a traditional presenter and instead make 2-3 minute videos of herself being authentic. Her first video, 'The Difference Between 18 and 30,' got 1.3 million views in under 24 hours, and Jules told her to keep going.

From episode 458→
Does Tanya Hennessy go to therapy, and why?

Yes, she has seen a psychologist since age 19 and continues regularly (currently fortnightly). She says it helps her process the strange experience of public attention, manage anxiety, and be able to create her best work, since she can't create well when she's sad or stuck in her head.

From episode 458→
What does Tanya Hennessy do to deal with anxiety before performing?

She grounds herself in nature, such as walking barefoot on earth or grass and spending time near water/the ocean, which she describes as symbolically washing away stress and reconnecting her to something real before shows.

From episode 458→

When Tanya came up

Mentioned on 4 episodes Tanyawasn’t on.

Mentioned for her 'Carb Collection' bread-toned makeup range while competing on I'm a Celebrity.

Named as one of the upcoming guests for the Sydney episode run.

Comedian who invited Emmylou to drinks where she met Christian Hull.

Cited as an example of a creator diversifying income through books and live shows.

Episodes with Tanya

Every episode featuring Tanya Hennessy on The Daily Talk Show.