Zara McDonald

They signed the book deal in a food court at Highpoint shopping centre in April 2019 while eating chips from a burrito place, and started writing it in June 2019.

Michelle runs content, community management and social media, while Zara handles logistics, planning and the calendar; each avoids touching the other's territory (e.g., Michelle has no access to the shared calendar, Zara doesn't manage Instagram).

They say the media industry changes too quickly, and locking into a long-term plan risks tunnel vision; they prefer to stay flexible and open to shape-shifting, even though they're asked about a 'big picture plan' in interviews.

Michelle Andrews and Zara McDonald pitched the podcast idea to a media network where they worked; the network initially said yes, then reversed course. Rather than wait for permission, they taught themselves podcasting (recording, editing, platforms) and launched it themselves while still employed, using guerrilla marketing like posters in university bathrooms to build an audience, eventually quitting their jobs once the show gained traction.

Zara and Michelle explain that audiences are often surprised and even unsettled when female co-hosts visibly disagree, framing it as 'catfighting,' whereas genuine friction and distinct personalities are actually what make the show authentic and give it its dynamic, according to the hosts.

Michelle and Zara discuss moving away from introducing themselves as 'two Melbourne journalists' since their podcast is now heavily editorialised and opinion-driven; they lean toward calling themselves writers, columnists, and broadcasters instead, while still applying journalistic practices like fact-checking and showing both sides.